Our Call to Service...

Discipleship: February 25, 2007

Our Call to Service: Reflecting Christ

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.”
2 Corinthians 2:14-15


Ministry involves Christ’s love expressed to the Church. Mission is God’s response through us to the world. We are called to do both. Jesus taught us the essence of service. “…so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” (John 13:4-5). The Apostle Paul included in his letter to the Philippians the Christ Hymn that would have been familiar to the early church as a reminder to be imitators of Christ. (Philippians 2:6-11)

Paul continues in the Epistles to challenge us to “sow to please the Spirit.” (Galatians 6:8b). “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:9-10).

God has gifted us for service. Everyone who is in Christ—who has become a believer—has a gifting from God to serve His Church. Too often, service within the church becomes a matter of “need” rather than “call.” The need is never the call…the need is an opportunity to prayerfully consider whether God may be calling you to serve in a specific way. God does not expect us to serve where He has not gifted us!

The same principle applies to domestic and world missions. God does not send us where we are not equipped to go. He may challenge us beyond our comfort zone, but if He has not gifted us for a particular mission, He won’t call us to it. I heard a young woman one time express concern that if she joined the church God might force her to go to Africa as a missionary and that was the last thing she wanted! God already has enough reluctant servants on this earth, so the young woman was probably safe from being called to a task she dreaded.

When we serve God out of our own strength we become disillusioned, disappointed, discouraged, and resentful. When we serve God from the gifts He has given us for service, we become renewed and revived because the lifeof the Son of God is living through us.

The Christian life is one of service done in the power of God!

“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17